Nicaragua to Once again Revive Old Damage Claim against US

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Nicaragua's leftist administration and the country's congress are vowing to revive a $17 billion damage claim made decades ago over U.S. support for contra rebels in the 1980s.

Nicaraguan leaders are angry over the U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee voting for a bill that would "oppose loans at international financial institutions" for Nicaragua unless the Central America country takes steps "to hold free, fair, and transparent elections."

The unicameral legislature approved reviving the damage claim Friday.

Nicaragua was awarded unspecified damages in 1986 by the International Court of Justice. But Washington said it did not recognize the court's jurisdiction, and a more pro-U.S. administration in Nicaragua dropped the claim in 1991.

The U.S.-supported contras sought to overthrow Nicaragua's Sandinista government in the 1980s. About 30,000 people died in the war.

Nicaragua's leftist administration and the country's congress are vowing to revive a $17 billion damage claim made decades ago over U.S. support for contra rebels in the 1980s.Nicaraguan leaders are angry over the U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee voting for a bill...